Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified individuals for appointment as an Independent Chair to the Tamworth Regional Council Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee is a key component of Council's governance framework and is responsible for assisting Council to fulfil its governance and oversight responsibilities.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee is comprised of three Independent Members (including one who is appointed as Chair) and Councillor representation. It is expected that the new Chair will be available to commence their term with the Committee and attend the meeting to be held on 8 May 2025.

The Chair of the Committee must strictly adhere to Council's Code of Conduct, and is expected to understand and observe the Committee's Terms of Reference and the Office of Local Government's Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW.

The Independent Chair is expected to meet the following essential criteria:

* qualities and personal attributes needed to serve the Council effectively in their role as Chair;

* functional knowledge in areas that would provide a valuable contribution to the Committee and Council such as:

o local government;

o internal audit and external audit;

o risk management;

o governance (including planning, reporting and oversight);

o performance management;

o financial management and reporting;

o accounting;

o business operations;

o human resources management;

o internal control frameworks;

o fraud and corruption prevention;

o IT/cyber security;

o the local community; or

o another relevant subject matter; and

* preparedness to undertake any training on the operation of the Committee based on their assessment of the skills, knowledge and experience of the Chair.

The Independent Chair of the Committee must also demonstrate the following personal qualities and attributes:

o a commitment to the independence of their role;

o integrity;

o a capacity to understand the ethical requirements of government (including potential conflicts of interest);

o a capacity to dedicate sufficient time and energy by contributing the time needed to review and understand information provided to them, and by making themselves available to attend and participate in meetings and reasonable out of session requirements;

o financial literacy, including an ability to read and understand financial statements, ask pertinent questions about them, and interpret and evaluate answers;

o an ability to give direct and honest opinions and to offer different perspectives and constructive suggestions; and

o inquisitiveness and independent judgement.

The Committee will meet at least four times a year in February, April, July and October and is a formally appointed Committee of Council. Meetings are held in person in Tamworth unless otherwise agreed to by Council. The appointment will be for an initial term of up to four years. The current meeting fee is $2,989 per meeting plus appropriate travel and accommodation costs as agreed by Council.

Applicants may be subject to reference checks together with a criminal record and a financial status (bankruptcy) check prior to any appointment being made.

To submit a nomination for appointment to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and complete the nomination available from the online forum or from Council.

Completed Nomination Forms should be lodged at Council no later than Thursday 20th March 2025 at 11.00am AEDT via online forum or Council email trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Enquiries should be directed to Karen Litchfield, Acting Executive Manager Strategy & Performance or on (02) 6767 5514 or k.litchfield@tamworth.nsw.gov.au.